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That's life, that's what all the people say.
You're riding high in April, shot down in May.
But I know I'm gonna change that tune,
When I'm back on top, back on top in June.
—— sung by Frank Sinatra

Scott Chesney was riding high at 15. He was young and strong with high hopes and dreams. He had entrepreneurial career plans, thoughts of fathering children one day. Today, after years of dealing with spinal cord injury (SCI), he observes that whether it’s SCI, polio, multiple sclerosis (MS), or muscular dystrophy (MD), “what I’ve come to realize is that no matter what one's disability may be, there is always room for growth and happiness.”

That optimistic assertion was made by the world traveler, international speaker, and empowerment coach when he took his audience on a personal “journey” at the seventh annual World Congress on Disabilities and Expo at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia.

Chesney directed his remarks from his wheelchair to the trials and tribulations of life with a disability. As a keynote speaker at the three-day Congress, Chesney’s sojourn covered whether you were born with a disability; acquired a disability at some stage of your life; are a caregiver or a parent of a child with a disability; a healthcare professional; or simply someone seeking more information on the mind, body, and spirit of people with disabilities. The author of Maximizing Life with a Disability focused on making peace with the past; facing/embracing fear; managing emotions; living with an attitude of gratitude; and living life with power, passion, and purpose.

Pertinent query
He asked his audience, “Why did you come here and demand the answers of yourself?. In the process, overcome the fear and anger related to any disability. Put away ’I could have, I would have, I should have‘and concentrate on being more independent. How long have you waited to make positive changes in your life? – and don’t let the sound of your own wheels make you crazy.” He maintained that people should ask, “What does my heart say?” not “What does my mind say?” and he reminded his audience that surveys have shown children smile an average of 112 times a day and adults only seven times.

Chesney, a two-time world traveler paralyzed for two decades, has addressed more than two million people in 38 countries. At age 15, he awoke to paralysis from a sudden spinal stroke, Still, he has become an internationally-recognized workshop and keynote presenter, and his insights have been sought by Fortune 500 corporations, hospitals/rehabilitation centers, associations, and even an audience at the United Nations. In 2006, “Maximizing Life with Scott Chesney,” a weekly talk show, debuted on VoiceAmerica.com Internet Radio. Among his clients have been Lincoln Financial, Prudential Insurance, Cendant Car Rental Group, Slomin's Security, Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Virginia, Farleigh Dickinson University, Rutgers University, and the National Association for the Blind (India).

Through his Vision in Motion school and corporate programs, Chesney addresses such topics as: Disability Awareness and Sensitivity, Overcoming Adversity, Cultural Diversity Awareness, Balancing One's Professional and Personal Lives, Self-esteem Enhancement, Leadership Cultivation, Conflict Resolution, and Communication.

Chesney sits on the Board of Trustees of Children’s Specialized Hospital in New Jersey, the advisory boards of the New Jersey Disability, Health, and Wellness Program and the Northern NJ Spinal Cord Injury System, and co-chairs the New Jersey Chapter of the Buoniconti Fund of the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis. He is a Seton Hall University graduate with a bachelor of arts degree in communications. He lives with his wife and two children in New Jersey.

Long-lasting change
He began by welcoming the attendees “to the transformational world in which you and I live – in which we all live. Whatever the reason was that brought you to me, just know that your life is about to be enhanced and enriched if you so choose. Today can begin a new journey in your life. I’ve spoken to nearly two million people in 38 countries and coached people from all walks of life on how to get where they are now in their lives to where they want to be. Even if you don't know exactly where you want to be or where you want to go, your journey of self-discovery [only needs] the courage to begin. Albert Einstein once said, ‘Nothing happens until something moves.’ Well, your movement towards realizing a dream, making a long-lasting change to your life, or putting a daily smile on your face is just a phone call or an e-mail away.” 

As Chesney recalled, in 1997 Devotion to Motion was born. After years of struggling emotionally, mentally, and spiritually with life, “a once-in-a-lifetime–so I thought!–opportunity was presented to me that I couldn‘t pass up: a chance to travel the world! This self-discovery, or shall I say self-‘recovery’ journey, took me to 15 countries in 15 months in which I explored the world of alternative or complementary medicine. A newfound self-awareness slowly evolved that lead me to explore the depths of pain, anger, and sadness that had been suppressed for so long. As old emotional and mental wounds were being addressed and healed, a new outlook on life began to take form.”
Upon his return from the first world tour, Chesney began addressing corporations, colleges/universities, and hundreds of schools across the U.S. “It was suggested to me that I take this message of hope, inspiration, and motivation back around the world to help others. Together with my amazing wife Pratiksha, we did just that, journeying to 26 countries from July 1999 until July 2000. Our message was heard by more than 40 million people.”

Chesney’s primary admonition is: “Never give up hope, and always remember, Life is a journey, not a destination.” In the process, Chesney has changed his tune and is back on top again.

In his wheelchair, Jacksonville, FL resident Herb Drill writes and edits www.notaccessible.com and heads Able Me & Associates. His e-mail address is herbdrill@notaccessible.com.